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The New England Patriots claimed veteran pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue off waivers from the Ravens on Friday afternoon.

Since Ngakoue was cut after Tuesday’s trade deadline, he was subject to waivers despite being a vested veteran player. The Patriots inherit his $656,667 remaining salary.

Ngakoue, 29, has spent time with the Jaguars, Vikings, Ravens, Raiders, Colts and Bears. He made a Pro Bowl in 2017 when he logged 12 sacks and six forced fumbles.

The former Maryland star has 1 1/2 sacks in five games this season, his second stint with Baltimore after being acquired from the Vikings in a 2020 midseason trade. The Washington native has seven total pressures in 67 pass-rush snaps this season, per Pro Football Focus, including a QB hit. He’s primarily served as a situational pass rusher throughout his career.

In need of pass rush help, the Ravens signed Ngakoue to their practice squad in September and later added him to the active roster. But he played just 25% of the defensive snaps in five games before being put on waivers Thursday when Baltimore activated running back Keaton Mitchell from the physically unable to perform list.

Ngakoue was once a teammate of Ravens outside linebackers coach Matt Robinson at Maryland. He’s also known pass rush coach Chuck Smith for years after having first trained with him in Atlanta when he was in college. The Ravens had hoped to keep Ngakoue on the practice squad, but the Patriots (2-7) were in need of pass-rushing help.

“I love the locker room, I love the guys here,” Ngakoue said of his return to Baltimore in September. “We have a great quarterback, and I just want to be able to help get the ball back to the offense.”

The Ravens (7-3) have struggled to generate a consistent pass rush this season and have been hit by injuries along the defensive line. Michael Pierce was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury, and Brent Urban missed a second straight game with a concussion Thursday night. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, 33, leads the team with seven sacks, while 2022 second-round draft pick David Ojabo has been a healthy scratch in two games.

Meanwhile, the Patriots released veteran linebacker Raekwon McMillan from the 53-man roster to make room for Ngakoue.

McMillan, 27, started four of nine games this season and notched 45 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. He first joined the Patriots in 2021 but missed that season with a torn ACL. He missed the entire 2023 season with a torn Achilles tendon.

The Patriots have struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks this season. They traded outside linebacker Matthew Judon before the season and outside linebacker Joshua Uche ahead of the trade deadline. Top pass-rushing defensive tackle Christian Barmore has been on the non-football illness list since training camp with blood clots.

Baltimore Sun staff contributed to this article.

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